Niger Delta ex-militants take non-violence philosophy to schools

IN their efforts to take the gains of the Federal Government amnesty programme for Niger Delta militants to the grassroots, former militants are now taking the non-violence philosophy to primary and secondary schools in the region.

The consultant to the programme, Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, FEHN, which is anchoring the initiative, tagged: Message to School, said that same was to inculcate in the students, a consciousness to shun violence and embrace unity across all ethnic lines.

Speaking on the initiative, Mrs. Motunrayo Boladale, FEHN’s Programmes Officer, said the move is “a practical approach at the reintegration of the ex-militants as they serve as peace vanguards, teaching the non-violence philosophy to primary and secondary school students in the region.”

The ex-militants who hitherto were youths of violent means now come on board with transformed identities, grooming young minds towards living lives worthy of emulation.

“The programme captures an essential stage of the development of the young students, inculcating tenets of non-violence orientation as well as civil behaviour in them as they grow and take up various responsibilities in the society.

“A fundamental strength of this package is its illustrative drive, being that it utilises a platform where the students can see the transformed ex-militants in the wake of their new lifestyles and share in the knowledge that birthed their own journey towards non-violence transformation. This helps to cultivate the young minds to embrace practical solutions to all forms of possible conflicts within the society.”